Greetings
Understanding their cultural customs and etiquette is essential when meeting someone from Taiwan. For example, greetings are important when contacting anyone from Taiwan. A common way to greet someone in Taiwan is to come with a smile and bow with hands together. You may also shake hands while bowing, but this is not typical.
Other courtesies, such as exchanging business cards and offering a gift to the host, are also essential to note.
Handshake
In Taiwan, it is common to give a slight bow to the head when people meet each other. The gesture depends on how well-acquainted the two people are. In formal situations, visitors should wait for a Taiwanese person to extend his or her hand first and then return the handshake. Getting used to the customs of shaking hands will help foreigners to show that they understand and appreciate local culture and etiquette.
When shaking hands with people in business settings, remember to keep your grip firm but not too tight to appear too strong. Shake only once and do not linger for more than three seconds—any longer may be construed as impolite or intrusive in Taiwan.
Bowing
Bowing is an integral part of Taiwanese culture, and it’s often used to greet people and express gratitude or respect. The degree of bow given can show the importance someone places on the relationship between both parties. Generally speaking, a full bow from the waist is seen as a sign of respect and submission, while a slight bow from the head is more casual.
You’ll rarely be required to do a full bow, but giving someone a slight incline is usually expected in social situations. For example, when entering into business discussions or formal gatherings, it may be appropriate to give someone a deep bow to show respect for their position. Women typically demonstrate respect by nodding their heads instead of bowing.
Bowing can also be used as an act of gratitude or appreciation for something that has been done or gifted. In these cases, it’s often expected that you present your gift before bowing; when presented with something yourself, it’s polite to respond with a quick nod and acknowledgment before proceeding with any conversation or exchange. Finally, bowing can also be used as an apology; this statement typically involves lowering your head while clasping your hands together in front of you and saying “duï bu qǐ” (I’m sorry).
Gift Giving
When it comes to gift-giving, you should be aware of certain cultural customs and etiquette when visiting Taiwan. In Taiwan, gift-giving is an essential part of the culture and can be seen as a sign of respect and appreciation. Therefore, it is common for hosts to give their guests small presents as a token of gratitude.
Furthermore, when it comes to gifts, the presentation is just as important as the gift itself. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the presentation of the gift when giving it to someone in Taiwan.
Gift Wrapping
Traditional Taiwanese believe a gift must be beautifully wrapped and presented. Therefore, they take pride in giving thoughtful, creative, beautifully packaged gifts. In Taiwan, the presentation of a gift is as important as the gift itself.
Before you give a gift, it is important to make sure it looks nice and elegant.
When wrapping a gift for someone in Taiwan, there are certain customs that you should follow. The wrapping paper should preferably be red or gold due to cultural associations with prosperity and good luck. The most common gifts are cakes/sweets, flowers, tea, and wine. Wine must also be wrapped in red or gold paper when being gifted. For cakes and sweets, presentation is critical – choose colorful papers with bright prints if possible!
Gifts may also come with cards that say specific things related to the occasion, and these must also be carefully chosen – they are equally as important as the item itself! Lastly, when giving traditional Taiwanese gifts, the receiver will often exchange the favor – this is seen as an act of respect and friendship between two people, which is why proper wrapping of the item itself is so important!
Giving and Receiving
Giving and receiving gifts is an essential part of the culture in Taiwan. As with other parts of the world, it’s customary to say thank you when given a gift. But you should know some unique customs when giving and receiving gifts in Taiwan.
- When offering a gift as a gesture of respect or appreciation, make sure to use both hands when giving it to the recipient or have someone else present it on your behalf. It is considered rude to give or receive money as a gift. The gift should be given with an even number of items wrapped in paper with light colors for celebrations and darker paper for funerals.
- It is also important to note that if someone does not open your gift immediately after receiving it, this does not mean that they do not like the present; instead, they may simply be waiting until everyone has received their gifts before opening them altogether or showing them off together.
- If you receive a present, always show gratitude and thank the giver for their thoughtfulness – even if you do not accept it! Additionally, politely refusing a gift can be expressed by simply saying that “it’s too much” or “you shouldn’t have bothered” instead of directly declining it.
Eating Etiquette
When dining in Taiwan, certain customs and etiquette should be followed. It includes how food is served and eaten and how to interact with others at the table. Knowing these customs will help ensure you enjoy your meal and a pleasant dining experience with family or friends.
Let’s take a closer look at Taiwanese dining etiquette:
Table Manners
Table manners are important in Taiwan, and polite behavior is always expected. Your hosts will appreciate common courtesy and politeness.
When invited to dinner, arrive at the restaurant a few minutes ahead of the host. Wait for the host to begin eating before you start and until all of your guests have been served before you begin eating.
- Avoid blowing your nose at the table, and keep your elbows off the table during meals.
- It is customary to bring small gifts when visiting someone’s home, such as flowers or a bottle of wine.
- When dining outside of one’s home, it is courteous to pay for the meal unless your host protests that they should pay.
Small dishes or snacks may be served with drinks before meals. They are not expected to be eaten entirely; however, you needn’t leave food on your plate unless it seems inedible due to unfamiliar taste or texture. Your hosts may invite you back for further dishes even if you have already finished your meal; ordinarily, accept these invitations with thanks regardless of whether you intend to return for more food.
Sharing Dishes
Sharing dishes is common and appreciated in Taiwan. You will often see a few people sharing and passing around food dishes on the dining table. Getting served before each individual’s plate is filled is also considered polite, so if you’re someone who routinely doesn’t leave anything on their plate, you might have to adjust that habit here. Alternatively, if you’re offered something you don’t want to eat – refuse politely with a “no, thank you” or the more formal “bu yao” immediately after being offered the dish.
Unlike some cultures, it’s not generally acceptable to pass food from person to person directly; this gesture should be made only between spouses or very close friends. As in many other Asian countries, it’s best to use utensils as much as possible when eating, as passing food from hand to hand is considered unclean and disrespectful to guests. It’s also important to avoid contaminating the communal spoons or chopsticks when dish-sharing by not using them with your chopsticks/spoon. For example, if an unwritten rule among family members is that guests should not touch the main course dishes such as meat with their cutlery but must use a communal spoon before transferring it onto their plate – then respect this custom!
Socializing
Socializing in Taiwan is an important part of the culture, and it is expected to be respectful and courteous at all times. Conversations should be kept on topics that are deemed appropriate, and respect for elders is critical. Greetings are essential and should be offered to anyone you meet politely. It is also important to remain respectful and attentive when talking with someone.
Let’s take a look at other important aspects of socializing in Taiwan:
Conversation
While Taiwan is a nation composed mainly of people from Han Chinese ethnic groups, its culture is heavily influenced by the history and traditions of East Asian countries. As a result, Taiwanese customs and etiquette tend to be particularly strict when socializing compared to other nations. Nevertheless, here are some tips for those looking to have a successful conversation in Taiwan:
- Be respectful: Respect for the elderly is an important part of Taiwanese culture; therefore, conversations are expected to be polite and respectful. Avoid subjects such as politics or religion, as these can often lead to uncomfortable conversations.
- Allow others to speak: Instead of dominating topics with constant talking, it’s essential to be considerate and let others express their opinions. Giving others a chance to speak will help create an environment where conversation flows smoothly.
- Avoid uncomfortable topics: Creating safe spaces for conversation by avoiding controversial or taboo issues can help ensure everyone feels comfortable and respected during conversations. In particular, death and illness should be avoided unless necessary, as they may cause others distress or discomfort.
- Focus on positive experiences/stories: Sharing positive stories and experiences allows participants in the conversation to connect in a meaningful way. While discussing difficult times may provide insights into how people manage situations differently, it’s always good practice to stick mainly with sharing positive stories with new acquaintances!
Invitations
When extending an invitation in Taiwanese culture, it is best to accept it whenever possible. Refusing an invitation for no valid reason can be a sign of disrespect. Since hospitality is highly valued in the country, hosts may take refusals very personally and feel obligated to insist on a guest coming.
Furthermore, when receiving an invitation, the person invited should not forget to express gratitude or show appreciation for the kind gesture.
Regarding extending invitations, it is essential to include all people in a group beforehand and ensure they are available if one is putting together parties or events. An item of note when inviting someone to a meal or any activity involves giving ample time for the person to respond with more time, especially when people have already been previously invited. Furthermore, hosts should send out verbal invitations ahead of formal ones and ensure that they provide enough information so their guests know what they should expect during the event or gathering. Finally, hosts should always look after their guests throughout their visit and ensure that everyone is taken care of at all times.
Respect for Elders
Respect for elders is an important custom in Taiwan. It is especially true for elders who are in the same family. People should respect their elders by addressing them politely and avoiding such behaviors as talking back or not listening. Furthermore, elders should also be given a seat of honor in gatherings and more respect in conversations.
Showing Respect
In Taiwanese culture, respecting elders is a fundamental part of etiquette. Whether children or adults, you are expected to show them respect if you are younger than someone else. It includes offering your seat to them if you are seated and waiting for them to speak before you in conversations.
When entering a room, greeting the oldest person first and then the others in order of age is polite. When shaking hands, ensure that your palms are facing downward when making contact with your hand, as this gesture shows humbleness. For most elderly people, extra effort should be taken when conversing.
It is also polite to address an elder by their title—such as Auntie or Uncle—rather than by first name. Ensure that your tone of voice is low, as this demonstrates respect and reverence towards the elder’s position. Listen attentively and try not to speak over them – even if you feel you know better or have something more important to add. Exhibiting interpersonal skills such as eye contact or facial expressions will let the older person know that they are being heard and respected – even if you don’t necessarily agree with what they say!
Interacting with Elders
Respecting and honoring the elderly is a traditional and deeply held belief in Taiwan. Whether addressed as “Uncle” or “Auntie,” people are always taught to be polite when encountering elders. It’s not uncommon to bow in greeting or be asked politely to sit down.
When visiting an elder, it is essential to maintain proper etiquette and follow certain traditions passed down through generations. For example, men should remove their hats when entering an elder’s home, address them with formal titles such as Uncle or Auntie, allow the elder to initiate any conversations, sit up straight when chatting, rise from their seat before leaving a room in traditional settings, refrain from using slang terms during the conversation, address any issues with elders patiently and try not to raise your voice even if you are feeling dissatisfied. Dress conservatively and speak politely at all times; it’s important to maintain proper etiquette around elders, so they know they are respected.
While you should always strive for politeness around the elderly, specific actions can be viewed as disrespectful in Taiwanese culture. Avoid sounding confrontational at all costs; pointing fingers or getting angry over minor issues is regarded as rude behavior by elderly members of society. It’s also vital to remain patient while interacting with members of this age group; any signs of impatience or frustration will undoubtedly be perceived as rude by the person on the receiving end! Additionally, avoid passing judgment on their views or opinions; debate can often lead nowhere fast when speaking with people from different generations, so keep discussions light-hearted at all times!